Types of 3D printing technology


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There are several different additive manufacturing technologies that are used in 3D printers, each finding and filling its space in the market.

Types of 3D printing technology

Types of 3D printing technologies – what are they intended for and what are the differences?

There are several different additive manufacturing technologies that are used in 3D printers, each of them finds and fills its space on the market. 3D printers themselves differ in their structure, method of operation, level of difficulty of operation, and time needed to perform a 3D print - that is why "3D printer" is a very general expression. We have prepared a short guide to the most popular 3D printing technologies.

FFF 3D printing technology

FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) Technology - this is the most frequently used and, by definition, the least complicated method, which involves extruding thermoplastic material (heated to a specific temperature) onto a work table and arranging layers of a specific shape from it. After applying each layer, the working platform lowers, the next layer is applied - the process is repeated until the finished element is obtained.

Advantages of FFF printing technology

Advantages of FFF printing technology

The advantage of using FFF technology is a wide range of materials that can be used (ABS, PLA, PC, PP, flexible materials, with wood admixtures, carbon or metals, etc.), the ability to build large elements and high resistance to fractures. FFF technology is relatively cheap, both in terms of purchasing the device and consumables - there are the most devices using this technology on the market - mainly because it dominates in the segment of desktop and educational devices.

In FFF technology, the material (filament) is wrapped on a spool that is mounted inside the printer. During printing, the feeder unwinds the material from the spool and feeds it to the extruder. In the extruder, the filament is heated to the melting point and then flows out through the nozzle, leaving a print layer on the build platform. Depending on the 3D printer model - filament spools can also be mounted outside the printer housing or on a completely external stand.

FFF 3D printing technology
FFF technology

DLP 3D printing technology

DLP (Digital Light Processing) Technology - the printing process involves hardening photopolymers (photosensitive materials) using projector light, which is mounted under the resin container. The excellent, very smooth surface and extraordinary precision of prints make DLP technology perfect for medicine, jewelry and any other field that requires high precision. One of its features is that the entire layer is exposed and thus hardened simultaneously. Unlike SLA technology, where the layers are selectively hardened using a laser - in DLP technology, the projector light hardens the entire layer at once.

DLP 3D printing technology

Prints created using DLP technology are characterized by high accuracy of up to several dozen microns and a perfectly smooth outer surface, thanks to which they are used in jewelry, dentistry and prosthetics. Resin printers can use biomedical resins allowed for contact with body tissues, foundry resins popular in jewelry, as well as multi-colored (also colorless) resins for general use.

Technologia druku 3D DLP
Technologia DLP

SLA 3D printing technology

SLA Technology (Stereolithography) - is one of the oldest methods of rapid prototyping, which involves polymerization of liquid resin reflected from a mirror with a laser beam. The worktable is immersed in the container containing the liquid resin to the depth of the required layer, and then the laser beam hardens it by moving in the XY axis and outlining the shape of the given object. The table is then raised by another layer and the process is repeated. Thanks to SLA technology, we can obtain very precise forms with accurate geometry reproduction, it is also possible to obtain transparent and thin-walled models.

Like any method, SLA technology also has drawbacks, the biggest of which is the high toxicity of the resins used and the need to store them away from light. You cannot combine several colors and materials during one production process. After printing the finished model, it must be cleaned of the remains of uncured resin, e.g. by bathing it in isopropyl alcohol, and remove the supporting elements - lack of skills in this area may result in damage to the print. Then the finished model should be dried and exposed to UV lamp exposure.

SLA 3D printing technology

SLS 3D printing technology

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) Technology - is a 3D printing technique that involves sintering successive layers of powdered material using a laser beam. Powdered polymer is spread on the work table of the 3D printer and the laser beam is directed at it, causing it to be selectively melted. Then the work platform lowers and another layer of powder is applied, which is also sintered. The entire process takes place in a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent the material from burning. SLS technology does not require the use of supports, so it is possible to create the geometry of objects that would not be possible to obtain with other production methods, it is also so fast and precise that it is profitable to use it not only for prototyping but also for series production of less than 1,000 pieces. SLS technology, despite its enormous production potential, is one of the most difficult methods of additive technology due to the use of very high temperatures.

Technologia druku 3D SLS

PolyJet 3D printing technology

PolyJet (Polymer Jetting) technology – a production process resembling printing with a laser printer. PolyJet technology involves applying thin layers of resin to the work table and then curing them using a UV lamp. PolyJet allows you to print prints from materials with high stiffness as well as flexible and transparent ones. Models printed using this technology are characterized by high accuracy and a perfectly smooth surface, so they can be used, for example, as base models for creating silicone molds. A dedicated gel is used to print the supports, which is removed manually or using a pressure washer after printing. One of the disadvantages of PolyJet technology that is worth mentioning is the relatively low temperature resistance of printed models - 45-90 degrees Celsius (depending on the material used).

CJP 3D printing technology

CJP (ColorJet Printing) technology - involves printing from gypsum powder in full color. Gypsum powder is spread on the work platform and then selectively sprayed with binder and colored ink using a print head. The powder merges together to create a three-dimensional model which, after the printing process, must be cleaned and hardened using special chemical preparations.

Types of 3D printing technology

The 3D printing technologies presented are among the most popular. As we know, as 3D printing technology develops, printing techniques also develop - new methods are constantly tested to print even better, faster and even more precisely.

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